UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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For every child, Health!

How can you make a difference?

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, leaving no one behind. In Nigeria, the health and nutrition situation of children under five has recorded minimal change. Currently, Nigeria is off track to achieving most targets of the World Health Assembly 2025 and the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. Approximately one in three children under five in Nigeria is stunted, while one of every ten children is wasted. Micronutrient deficiencies among pregnant women, adolescents and children under five years remain high. Consequently, Nigeria has the second-highest number of malnourished children in the world and the highest in Africa. Furthermore, Nigeria accounts for 20 per cent of the global maternal deaths, 11 per cent of the global neonatal deaths and have the second highest burden of global under-five mortality.

To change the narrative, UNICEF, in partnership with the government and other stakeholders, aims to deliver good quality health and nutrition services at scale to build resilience and protect the most vulnerable, particularly during the First 1000 Days of Life. This is in keeping with UNICEF Nigeria’s new Country Programme Strategy (2023-2027). The health and nutrition programmes aim to (i) strengthen the enabling environment (policies, regulations, financing and programming; (ii) strengthen systems, especially the health (MNCH, primary health care, nutrition, immunization etc.), food and social protection systems to deliver high-quality services; and (iii) address social and behavioural practices that influence access and demand of health and nutrition services.

To deliver results for children, UNICEF has field offices in designated locations. This ensures timely and efficient delivery of results to beneficiaries. UNICEF is seeking to recruit a Health & Nutrition Officer to provide professional technical assistance and support for programme design, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and administration of programme activities, including data analysis, progress reporting, knowledge networking and capacity building, in support of the achievement of planned objectives of the work plan, aligned with Health & Nutrition programme goals and strategy.

The candidate will report to the Nutrition and Health Specialists at the Field Office and work closely with the Health and Nutrition Sections as well as other stakeholders to ensure efficient and effective delivery of results. Specifically, the Health and Nutrition Officer will be responsible for the following:

• Support to health and nutrition programme development, planning and implementation.
• Technical support and coordination for the efficient and effective implementation of health and nutrition programmes and results.
• Health and Nutrition programme management, monitoring and quality assurance
• Effective partnership and networking; advocacy and information sharing for resource mobilization and implementation of health and nutrition programmes.
• Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS 

1. Support to health and nutrition programme development, planning and implementation.

• Assist in designing, planning, monitoring, and evaluating the Health & Nutrition programmes implemented in the states.
• Provide technical assistance in integrating the Health & Nutrition programme with other sectors and programmes.
• Contribute to establishing partnerships to promote innovative approaches to address immediate and underlying determinants of maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and nutrition.
• Support the improvement of programme delivery with emphasis on the sustainability of interventions, community participation and the Human Rights Based Approach to Programming.
• Assists government and other partners in the planning and management of the Health and Nutrition Programme.
• Formulate, design, and contribute to the development of high-quality health and nutrition programme proposals, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, Country Programme, and coherence/ integration with the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies, as well as national priorities, plans and competencies.
• Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans based on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare high-quality documentation for programme review and approval.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes to ensure integration, coherence, and harmonization of health and nutrition programmes/ projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.

2. Technical support and coordination for the efficient and effective implementation of health and nutrition programmes and results.

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders for implementation, establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators, and UNICEF/ UN system indicators and measurements, to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence, and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector in health and nutrition programmes.
• Monitor results to ensure that targets are met through effective coordination and collaboration with government and other partners.
• Provide timely follow-up, including monitoring UNICEF resources, supply and non-supply assistance, and sharing feedback to supervisors for prompt actions.
• Assist in the implementation of emergency preparedness plans and programmes relating to health and nutrition in line with the Core Commitments for Children (CCCs) in Humanitarian Action, strengthen partnerships with the Health and Nutrition humanitarian actors.

3. Health and Nutrition programme management, monitoring and quality assurance.

• Conduct frequent monitoring of health and nutrition programmes in the states under the field office.
• Analyze health and nutrition data and provide recommendations for adjustment as appropriate to ensure the achievement of the health and nutrition programme objectives. Analyze health and nutrition data and information for evidence-based decision-making whilst contributing to institutional and donor reports.
• Assist in the timely preparation of programme, annual and donor reports, as required
• Coordinates with Operations and Supply colleagues on the timely procurement, management and distribution of health and nutrition supplies
• Ensure the timely and efficient utilization of grants within established plans and the health and nutrition programme priorities.

4. Effective partnership and networking; advocacy and information sharing for resource mobilization and implementation of health and nutrition programmes

• Exchange health and nutrition information and knowledge with other programmes to contribute to the achievement of overall country programme objectives.
• Contribute to the development of communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and community participation in health and nutrition programmes;
• Establish and maintain partnerships with all stakeholders in the states, localities, communities, and the private sector for resource mobilization and to accelerate the achievement of health and nutrition goals.
• Identify and track the development of partnership agreements and their implementation.
• Assist in identifying capacity development needs and facilitate the orientation, training and learning/development activities for government and implementing partners for effective programme delivery.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimal and sustainable health and nutrition programmes.
• Keep abreast of and share state of the art research and implement best and cutting-edge practices in health and nutrition programming, especially in emergencies.
• Organize, plan and/or implement capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of stakeholders to promote transformative and sustainable results in health and nutrition programmes.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: [ Health and Nutrition Officer Level 2 JD (1).doc]

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Education:A university degree in one of the following fields is required: nutrition, public health, nutritional epidemiology, global/ international health and nutrition, health/nutrition research, policy and/or management, health sciences, nutritional epidemiology, or another health-related science field.
• Work Experience
  • A minimum of two years of relevant professional work experience in health and nutrition programmes
  • Experience in implementing adolescent health, RMCH and nutrition programming emergency context and duty location
  • Working experience for the UN or other international development organizations would be an asset.
•  Language Proficiency Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of a local language is an asset.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements